House's ITB XE build and re-build

[House]

Engine is coming out again after Donnington in November so I'll see how it comes out the top!!

Jacked up the car today and jet washed the underneath to within an inch of it's life!! Ran it up for nearly an hour, let it get red hot and no leaks visible.

Need to have a look at the thermostat cos for some reason the fan comes on but doesn't go off, the bottom rad hose goes cold but the top rad hose stays red hot and the temp gauge sits at 100.

Thinking the thermostat might be stuck, tempted to run without it as it's a cold opening stat. 85 or something so potentially it's always open anyway. Thoughts??

[House]

So having decided that trackdays are the way forward I've put a deposit down on this.





Should fit the Nova on nicely as the guy used it for his trackday Clio and was only getting rid of it cos he's bought a bigger car!!



All in £1300, which seems about right, going to check it out Saturday morning and he's going to keep it at his place for me for a week until I can get a tow bar fitted to the Passat.

Also purchased a little tool box today and remembered I've got an old Aluminium packing box that belonged to Gebhardt the German company I buy lifts from who used to have their own racing team, competing at Le Mans with some succcess!! Hoping to have the toolbox and aluminium box loaded up so I can just throw it in the boot of the car and job done, less packing and worrying I've forgotten stuff!!

A little pic of a Gebhardt Porsche porn, they designed, built and raced their own cars aswell, before using Porsche's in the 90's



The winter list is growing!!

[Iain]

Don't forget the camping chair, most important thing on the whiteboard.

You'll be surprised how many sofas you move on your trailer, I was with mine.

[Benn]

Wow your writing is worse than mine. Impressive.

Nice trailer too.

[8valve-craig]

That's exactly the trailer I have. Clio's are a real squeeze, but the nova will fly on and have a good amount of room to strap it down.

Strong money, but they do hold it well.

[House]

Benn, I'm a lefty and can't write on a white board cos my arm rubs everything out, so I have to hover over the board with the pen and wiggle it about!!

That's exactly the trailer I have. Clio's are a real squeeze, but the nova will fly on and have a good amount of room to strap it down.

Strong money, but they do hold it well.

Cheers for the confirmation Craig, I was a bit worried about overhang but I think it'll be fine!! The only worry now is if it'll fit in the garage I've rented!!

Got a txt from the good lady that she was having a beer after school so I figured I'd have a bit of time to do something.

Rusty bullet hole attack mode!! I forgot to get any pictures before but it had grown since I last saw it so thought I better get it done!! Pictures do the talky!!



Could have neatened it up a bit more but next door's little girl was getting upset with the grinder so I had to call it a day.



Bit of hammerite underseal stuff will do until the winter when it all comes off, I'm actually looking forward to stripping it bare and knowing 100% it's all clean and tidy.



For those who have an interest, this is what I do everyday.





This is a days work assembling from components, 6 lifts we're doing for Amazon at their new warehouse in Dunstable. It all ends up clad in panels and doors fitting.





Another smaller one we installed for Renthal, the motocross bike manufacturer, in Stockport.

Anyway, that's what earns the corn and has done for the last 13 years!!

[TallDave]

Jacked up the car today and jet washed the underneath to within an inch of it's life!! Ran it up for nearly an hour, let it get red hot and no leaks visible.

Need to have a look at the thermostat cos for some reason the fan comes on but doesn't go off, the bottom rad hose goes cold but the top rad hose stays red hot and the temp gauge sits at 100.

Thinking the thermostat might be stuck, tempted to run without it as it's a cold opening stat. 85 or something so potentially it's always open anyway. Thoughts??

Forgive my ignorance, but isn't that whats supposed to happen, especially if the car is sat still and not getting air pushed through the radiator as would happen when you are driving?

Hopefully when you say the bottom radiator hose is cold it isn't actually cold, its just cooler than the inlet hose?

You must have some circulation going on as the radiator is getting hot enough to kick the fan on, presumably you are using the standard fan switch (located in the passenger side of the rad)?

Just a thought, maybe there is someone else out there who knows better?


I like the trailer by the way, just a pity I can't squeeze one like it down the side of my house...

[House]

Forgive my ignorance, but isn't that whats supposed to happen, especially if the car is sat still and not getting air pushed through the radiator as would happen when you are driving?

Hopefully when you say the bottom radiator hose is cold it isn't actually cold, its just cooler than the inlet hose?

You must have some circulation going on as the radiator is getting hot enough to kick the fan on, presumably you are using the standard fan switch (located in the passenger side of the rad)?

Just a thought, maybe there is someone else out there who knows better?


I like the trailer by the way, just a pity I can't squeeze one like it down the side of my house...

I've completely re-wired the car, the only bit of original wiring left is the little loom that runs to the rear lights, my fan is controlled by my standalone DTA management. I haven't checked the relay, maybe that's sticking.

The water temp has got progressively higher during normal driving since my second evening at brands, where as it used to sit at 80 when travelling it now sits just below 100 (on my aftermarket dash gauge) it's possible the sender for that is faulty..... I think it needs more investigation!! Crappy Nova!!!

[TallDave]

I've completely re-wired the car, the only bit of original wiring left is the little loom that runs to the rear lights, my fan is controlled by my standalone DTA management. I haven't checked the relay, maybe that's sticking.

The water temp has got progressively higher during normal driving since my second evening at brands, where as it used to sit at 80 when travelling it now sits just below 100 (on my aftermarket dash gauge) it's possible the sender for that is faulty..... I think it needs more investigation!! Crappy Nova!!!

Ahhhhh! It appears I am ignorant! If the Engine management system is controlling the fan that would indicate that the controlling sensor is in the engine block, which rather explains everything (errr possibly), the hot top hose is probably due to water working its way (slowly) passed a knackered thermostat via the jiggle pin, the bottom hose can only be cold because there is no water circulation, et voila (again) . So your engine cooling is being done via the oil, hmmmm not good.

Pull the thermostat out and test in a pan of boiling water, If it stays shut you have solved the problem, best not use the missus best pan though eh!

Put it down to experience, again, again, again.......

[House]

I was always led to believe Thermostats are fail open?!? Anyone else confirm?? I've previously drilled 2 small 5mm holes in my stat as I was having real bad air lock problems.

On the drive down to view the trailer water temp was at 75-80 degrees while driving along and oil temp between 85-100 deepening if I gave it a little loud off of roundabouts.

I'm gonna order another stat and change that out and see!!!